Present perfect simple and past simple; present perfect simple and continuous
CONTEXT LISTENING
You are going to hear two people called Mike and Lucy talking to each other.
Before you listen, look at the picture.
How do Mike and Lucy know each other?
What is Lucy’s problem?
Listen again and write Mike and Lucy’s exact words. Stop the recording when you need to.
What does Mike say about finishing work? He says: ‘I finished at lunchtime today.
What does he say about this afternoon? He says: ‘
What does Lucy say about finishing her essay? She says: ‘
When does she say she started it? She says: ‘
What does Mike say about studying history? He says: ‘
How long has Lucy lived next door? She says: ‘
How long has Mike lived there? He says: ‘
Why is Mike surprised? He says: ‘
Look at your answers to Exercise 3 and answer these questions.
Look at answers 1, 4 and 5. What tense are they?
Look at answers 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. What tense are they?
Which sentences are about a time period which continues up to the moment of speaking?
Which sentences are about a period of time which is finished?
Log into Learnclick to do the exercise and check your answers.
GRAMMAR
Present perfect simple or past simple?
Some verbs are irregular: break ➞ broken; go ➞ gone (➢ See Web page: Irregular verbs.)
➢ For past simple forms, see Past Simple B1 and Past Simple B2.
We use the
present perfect simple
with since or for, about a period of time which continues up to the present moment:
I’ve lived there for four years. (= and I still live there)
I’ve lived next door since June. (= and I still live next door now)
past simple
with for, about a period of time which is finished:
I lived there for four years. (= but I don’t live there now)
present perfect simple
with questions asking how long - Sometimes we can also use the present perfect continuous
How long have you lived here? (= I know you still live here)
past simple
with questions asking when:
When did you move here? (= the move is in the past)
present perfect simple
in the negative, for unfinished actions and events, often with still or yet:
I still haven’t sent the email.
I haven’t sent the email yet.
past simple
for completed actions and events in the past, often with ago:
I sent the email half an hour ago.
present perfect simple
for events repeated over a period of time until the present (they may continue):
You’ve played the saxophone every night. (= until now, and you will probably continue to play every night)
past simple
for events repeated over a period of time in the past (they are now finished):
You played the saxophone every night. (= but you don’t any more)
present perfect simple
- for events which happened in the past at a time which is unknown and/or irrelevant:
I’ve started my essay. (= we don’t know when)
I’ve lost my new camera. (= it’s not important when or where)
- for events that happened in the recent past (often with just):
Flight 206 has landed. (= in the last few minutes)
She’s just gone to the cinema. (= she’s on her way or she’s already there now)
past simple
- for events that happened at a particular time in the past:
Flight 206 landed at one o’clock.
- or within a period of time in the past
She was at the cinema between midday and two o’clock.(= but she’s not there now)
present perfect simple
when the time stated is not finished:
I’ve spent this morning writing an essay. (= it’s still morning)
The builders have started working on the kitchen this week. (= it’s still this week)
past simple
when the time stated is finished:
I spent this morning writing an essay. (= it’s now afternoon so ‘this morning’ is in the past)
I started my essay last week. (= ‘last week’ is definitely in the past)
I lost my new camera in London. (= the place fixes it at a time in the past)
Present Perfect simple
when we talk about a period of time up to the present:
I’ve been to Los Angeles but not to New York. (= experiences in my life up to now)
The team has won several matches. (= and may win more)
past simple
when we talk about past events which are not connected to the present:
I went to Los Angeles but not to New York. (= on a particular trip which is in the past)
The Chinese invented printing.
Present Perfect simple
when we talk about how many times something has happened up to now:
Alex has phoned Ella three times. (= and he might phone her again)
past simple
when we talk about how many times something happened in the past:
Alex phoned Ella three times yesterday.
Present Perfect SUPERLATIVES
It’s the best cup of coffee I’ve had here.
This is the most exciting place we’ve been to.
Present perfect simple or continuous?
Present perfect continuous
The present perfect and the present perfect continuous are both used to describe events or activities which started in the past and have continued up to the present, or activities which stopped recently.
Some verbs can be used in either the present perfect simple or continuous with little difference in meaning.
These are verbs which describe activities which normally happen over a period of time, e.g. live, study, wait, work:
Martin has lived / has been living in Japan for five years.
Present perfect simple VS continuous
We use the
present perfect continuous
to talk about how long something has been happening:
I’ve been driving since five o’clock this morning.
The children have been playing happily all morning.
We’ve been worrying about her all week.
How long have you been watching TV?
present perfect simple
to talk about how often or how many times something has happened:
I’ve driven there several times before.
The children have played four games of tennis this morning.
I’ve worried about her every day since she set off.
I’ve watched three programmes.
present perfect continuous
to focus on the activity or event itself (whether it is complete or not is unimportant):
He’s been reading that book since he got up. (= we’re interested in how he passed the time)
I’ve been mending the car. (= that’s why I’m dirty)
present perfect simple
to focus on the present result of an activity or event which is complete:
I’ve read the newspapers. (= I’ve finished reading them)
I’ve mended the car. (= I’ve finished so we can go out in it now)
NOTE!
We never use the present tense to talk about how long we have been doing something:
I’ve been learning the piano for a long time. (not I’m learning the piano for a long time)
He’s been playing in a band for two years. (not He’s playing in a band for two years)
NOTE!
State verbs are not usually used in the present perfect continuous
I’ve known her since she was four years old. (not I’ve been knowing her)
I’ve always hated cold weather. (not I’ve always been hating cold weather)
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